Both playing with what can't be called legit 1st line centers.
- Pecafan Fan

You guys are just missing the age factor. Kessel accomplished more than Ryder did at a younger age. By 25, Ryder had only scored 30 goals once. Kessel had done it four times. In the long run, Kessel will be the better goal scorer.

You guys are just missing the age factor. Kessel accomplished more than Ryder did at a younger age. By 25, Ryder had only scored 30 goals once. Kessel had done it four times. In the long run, Kessel will be the better goal scorer.
- Two_For_Truth

Possibly. But that ain't certain.

Edit: at any rate, I just find the term "elite" is used rather loosely.

Possibly. But that ain't certain.

Edit: at any rate, I just find the term "elite" is used rather loosely.
- Pecafan Fan

It's likely.

Elite is indeed used rather loosely. But with so few things about the Leafs going right, Leafs fans tend to cling to Kessel.

when kessel is slumping he is no better than blake

and dont bother replying unless you actually have something tangible to say.. its wasting my time.
- Dozzer

For one, I'd say Kessel has shown some pretty strong playmaking. They're not going in for him, so I've seen him setting up quite a few guys with some very nice plays. Blake's version of playmaking was throw it on net, and hope someone bangs in a rebound. I can't remember him EVER passing.

I'd also say that Blake took a lot of low percentage shots. And by that, I mean, from the blue line. Kessel may not be sitting in the slot, but he's not shooting from the blue line either. Kessel's shots aren't nearly as low % as Blake's.

As usual, certain factions of Leaf fans are freaking out on the drop of a dime. Kessel is snake bitten. It's not the first time. He's hit about 15 posts in the first 8 or 9, or whatever it is, games too. I'm not worried, because despite them not going in, he's playing fine.

so a better wrist shot and he isnt hated by his teammates.

so other than he plays poopty better.. how exactly is that any different from what i have said?
- Dozzer

Well, unless I'm misunderstanding what you said, you were arguing that Kessel is no better than Blake when he is struggling. To paraphrase what you're now saying, even when he's struggling, he's better.

That's quite different.

I'd also say that Blake took a lot of low percentage shots. And by that, I mean, from the blue line. Kessel may not be sitting in the slot, but he's not shooting from the blue line either. Kessel's shots aren't nearly as low % as Blake's.
- prock

This is wrong.

Well over half of Kessel's shots have come from 31+ feet from the net.

That doesn't even include the ones he tries to shoot from 31+ feet that go off of a defender stick.

How the F do u know that??...Burke didn't make a legit offer for any of them...

U can keep living in the dream that blame for failure lays on the fans and media and has nothing to do with failure from management and the players...

U sir are a prime example of whats wrong with TO....Deflect blame and never hold MLSE/leafs accountable...
- Fruitcakenipple

Really, Help me understand why not 1 big name free agent has signed in the biggest hockey market. Burke hasn't been the only GM in the times I'm talking about.
Even Rick Nash didn't want to come to Toronto. In a salary cap world players will go play in other cities for the same money....They don't need the garbage that comes with the market. Your kidding yourself if you don't think it plays a part.

This is wrong.

Well over half of Kessel's shots have come from 31+ feet from the net.

That doesn't even include the ones he tries to shoot from 31+ feet that go off of a defender stick.
- Two_For_Truth

Duhhh. No one's shots from anywhere include the shots that go off sticks.

Besides, it's 60 feet from goal line to blue line, genius. A little more, actually, I believe.

Really, Help me understand why not 1 big name free agent has signed in the biggest hockey market. Burke hasn't been the only GM in the times I'm talking about.
Even Rick Nash didn't want to come to Toronto. In a salary cap world players will go play in other cities for the same money....They don't need the garbage that comes with the market. Your kidding yourself if you don't think it plays a part.
- tmlfan17

I'm still waiting for your list of big time UFA's over the past 5 years.

Duhhh. No one's shots from anywhere include the shots that go off sticks.

Besides, it's 60 feet from goal line to blue line, genius. A little more, actually, I believe.
- prock

I guess you don't know what the "+" symbol indicates so let me explain it to you. It means plus. It means more than 31 feet. It means shots taken from 40, 50 and yes even 60 feet. It means, yes, Kessel is indeed shooting from really far away and really bad angles.

Nobody is comparing their careers. The only thing that is being compared is the idiotic shot selection and location.
- Two_For_Truth

(frank) off some of his shots are from perimeter but he's getting robbed right on the doorstop by Miller and Ward. Neuvirth robbed him fromt he slot a couple of times and he's dented the iron about 4 times.
Kessel is getting chances and he's also set up plenty of goals. He'll still score 20

If Kessel wanted to put it in at all costs, he would pay the price and try something different rather than doing the exact same thing over and over again and expecting it to work.
- Two_For_Truth

You mean doing things differently that allowed him to score 30 goals a year for the past 4 seasons. Ok numbnuts

I guess you don't know what the "+" symbol indicates so let me explain it to you. It means plus. It means more than 31 feet. It means shots taken from 40, 50 and yes even 60 feet. It means, yes, Kessel is indeed shooting from really far away and really bad angles.
- Two_For_Truth

Yes, so, when you start to talk about 50+ foot shots, then we're talking Jason Blake territory.

(frank) off some of his shots are from perimeter but he's getting robbed right on the doorstop by Miller and Ward. Neuvirth robbed him fromt he slot a couple of times and he's dented the iron about 4 times.
Kessel is getting chances and he's also set up plenty of goals. He'll still score 20
- tmlfan17

Kessel is getting "robbed" because he's so predictable that most goalies know exact where he's going to shoot.

You mean doing things differently that allowed him to score 30 goals a year for the past 4 seasons. Ok numbnuts
- tmlfan17

Ah yes, blind anger. Always a great tool for proving a point.

You mean doing things differently that allowed him to score 30 goals a year for the past 4 seasons. Ok numbnuts
- tmlfan17

LOL. Yeah, that's exactly what we want Kessel doing. Forget shooting, we want him sitting in front of the net scrapping with the Dman.

Kessel is getting "robbed" because he's so predictable that most goalies know exact where he's going to shoot.
- Two_For_Truth

Those goal posts have really smartened up.

Yes, so, when you start to talk about 50+ foot shots, then we're talking Jason Blake territory.
- prock

Going to change the facts when they don't suit you huh?

Great.

Hockey Buzz Eklund ‏@Eklund

Sounds like the NY Islanders may be talking trade with a team in Western Canada (e3) Blog to come.

Going to change the facts when they don't suit you huh?

Great.
- Two_For_Truth

LOL, WRONG. That's EXACTLY what you're doing. I said Jason Blake stepped just inside the blue line and shot. That's what he did. Constantly. That's 50 to 60 foot shots. You responded with "no, he's taking shots from over 30 feet."

Great, but that's not the same thing.

Learn to read.

Those goal posts have really smartened up.
- prock

Close only counts in horseshoes and hand grenades. Let me know when a post is considered a goal.

LOL. Yeah, that's exactly what we want Kessel doing. Forget shooting, we want him sitting in front of the net scrapping with the Dman.
- prock

Yeah, there's no way Kessel should ever go to the front of the net. Or take a slap shot. Or try a deke. Or a wrist shot. Or a snap shot from closer. Nah, just keep using the same move and the same shot 40 times per game and wait for the goalie to make a mistake.

I said Jason Blake stepped just inside the blue line and shot.
- prock

And that's exactly what Kessel is doing.

Hockey Buzz Eklund ‏@Eklund

Sounds like the NY Islanders may be talking trade with a team in Western Canada (e3) Blog to come.
- faceto27

Streit to Edmonton for Hemsky

Close only counts in horseshoes and hand grenades. Let me know when a post is considered a goal.
- Two_For_Truth

Smart like a tack, you are.

Did you seriously not follow that I was responding to the "predictable" part? Could you really not piece that together? Do you seriously not follow the sarcasm in the goal posts starting to find Kessel predictable?